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Title: A study of tritium in municipal solid waste leachate and gas

Abstract

It has become increasingly clear in the last few years that the vast majority of municipal solid waste landfills produce leachate that contains elevated levels of tritium. The authors recently conducted a study of landfills in New York and New Jersey and found that the mean concentration of tritium in the leachate from ten municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills was 33,800 pCi/L with a peak value of 192,000 pCi/L. A 2003 study in California reported a mean tritium concentration of 99,000 pCi/L with a peak value of 304,000 pCi/L. Studies in Pennsylvania and the UK produced similar results. The USEPA MCL for tritium is 20,000 pCi/L. Tritium is also manifesting itself as landfill gas and landfill gas condensate. Landfill gas condensate samples from landfills in the UK and California were found to have tritium concentrations as high as 54,400 and 513,000 pCi/L, respectively. The tritium found in MSW leachate is believed to derive principally from gaseous tritium lighting devices used in some emergency exit signs, compasses, watches, and even novelty items, such as 'glow stick' key chains. This study reports the findings of recent surveys of leachate from a number of municipal solid waste landfills, both open and closed, frommore » throughout the United States and Europe. The study evaluates the human health and ecological risks posed by elevated tritium levels in municipal solid waste leachate and landfill gas and the implications to their safe management. We also assess the potential risks posed to solid waste management facility workers exposed to tritium-containing waste materials in transfer stations and other solid waste management facilities. (authors)« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. HydroQual, Inc., 1200 MacArthur Blvd., Mahwah, NJ 07430 (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22109366
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Fusion Science and Technology
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 54; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: 8. international conference on tritium science and technology, Rochester, NY (United States), 16-21 Sep 2007; Other Information: Country of input: France; 11 refs; Journal ID: ISSN 1536-1055
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; GAS CONDENSATES; HEALTH HAZARDS; LANDFILL GAS; PEAKS; PUBLIC HEALTH; RISK ASSESSMENT; SOLID WASTES; TRITIUM; WASTE DISPOSAL

Citation Formats

Mutch, Jr, R. D., Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, Columbia Univ., New York, NY, Mahony, J. D., and Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY. A study of tritium in municipal solid waste leachate and gas. United States: N. p., 2008. Web.
Mutch, Jr, R. D., Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, Columbia Univ., New York, NY, Mahony, J. D., & Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY. A study of tritium in municipal solid waste leachate and gas. United States.
Mutch, Jr, R. D., Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, Columbia Univ., New York, NY, Mahony, J. D., and Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY. 2008. "A study of tritium in municipal solid waste leachate and gas". United States.
@article{osti_22109366,
title = {A study of tritium in municipal solid waste leachate and gas},
author = {Mutch, Jr, R. D. and Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY and Columbia Univ., New York, NY and Mahony, J. D. and Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY},
abstractNote = {It has become increasingly clear in the last few years that the vast majority of municipal solid waste landfills produce leachate that contains elevated levels of tritium. The authors recently conducted a study of landfills in New York and New Jersey and found that the mean concentration of tritium in the leachate from ten municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills was 33,800 pCi/L with a peak value of 192,000 pCi/L. A 2003 study in California reported a mean tritium concentration of 99,000 pCi/L with a peak value of 304,000 pCi/L. Studies in Pennsylvania and the UK produced similar results. The USEPA MCL for tritium is 20,000 pCi/L. Tritium is also manifesting itself as landfill gas and landfill gas condensate. Landfill gas condensate samples from landfills in the UK and California were found to have tritium concentrations as high as 54,400 and 513,000 pCi/L, respectively. The tritium found in MSW leachate is believed to derive principally from gaseous tritium lighting devices used in some emergency exit signs, compasses, watches, and even novelty items, such as 'glow stick' key chains. This study reports the findings of recent surveys of leachate from a number of municipal solid waste landfills, both open and closed, from throughout the United States and Europe. The study evaluates the human health and ecological risks posed by elevated tritium levels in municipal solid waste leachate and landfill gas and the implications to their safe management. We also assess the potential risks posed to solid waste management facility workers exposed to tritium-containing waste materials in transfer stations and other solid waste management facilities. (authors)},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22109366}, journal = {Fusion Science and Technology},
issn = {1536-1055},
number = 1,
volume = 54,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2008},
month = {Tue Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2008}
}